OSHER 977 - Architectural Appreciation for the European Traveler

This course will explore the fascinating history of European architecture, with particular emphasis on the awe-inspiring buildings that can be visited by travelers today. We will begin with the creation of the classical tradition in ancient Greece and Rome, then analyze the evolution of Romanesque and Gothic styles in the castles and cathedrals of the Middle Ages. We will trace the rebirth of classicism in the palaces and churches of the Renaissance, the elaboration of these architectural forms in the Baroque period, and the beautiful variations of Neoclassicism and Romanticism. We will close with an examination of the beginnings of modernism and some of the great examples of contemporary European architecture.